Hello Industry Friends, here is the very latest news and insights from Asia.
📰 Headlines: National Games key to Greater Bay Area integration, LIV Golf announces Japan event, NBA to host games in Australia, World Boxing adds China Federation, World Aquatics goes green with medals, LA Dodgers sign sake partners,
🗞️ Key Industry News
Sporting Events Key to GBA Integration
The 15th National Games, set to kick off this November, will serve as a pivotal opportunity for the integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA), said NPC deputies and CPPCC members during the two sessions. It is the first Games jointly hosted by Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong province, and marks the first time that Hong Kong and Macau will host a national-level sports event. Read more on China Daily (English)
💡 Mailman Take: There’s been a lot of talk, a lot of hype, and some successful case studies recently that point towards the GBA being vital for Greater China being able to attract the world’s biggest sports and entertainment events. Eventually, the GBA will want the very top events such as the Olympics and FIFA World Cup - therefore, the National Games is the first step on that journey to the top.
LIV Golf Heading to Japan in 2025
LIV Golf has announced plans to stage its first International Series event in Japan this year. The $2m tournament is scheduled to take place from May 8-11 at the Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba, the week after the LIV Golf League holds LIV Golf Korea in Incheon. Read more on SportBusiness (English)
💡 Mailman Take: 2025 has started with a bang in Asia for LIV Golf, hosting events in Hong Kong last weekend and Singapore this weekend. Packed crowds, great weather, and some of the world’s best golfers on show are proving a hit with sponsors and local officials - it’s no surprise more events are being given the green light.
NBA, Big3 Partner NBL on Australian Growth Projects
The National Basketball Association will stage its first games in Australia later this year, when the New Orleans Pelicans play in Melbourne, while the Big3 competition is also heading Down Under. The Pelicans will face Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix, both of Australia’s top National Basketball League (NBL), in a pair of pre-season games on October 3 and 5. Read more on SportBusiness (English)
World Boxing Adds China’s Powerful Federation
World Boxing has added China to its growing list of members, reaching another major goal in its quest to keep boxing in the Olympics. The Chinese Boxing Federation’s decision to join is yet another positive sign for World Boxing, which received provisional recognition from the IOC last month as the new governing body for the sport ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Read more on AP (English)
💡 Mailman Take: Boxing has seen a resurgence in China thanks to the recent success of former interim heavyweight champion, Zhang Zhilei. Consumption-wise, fans have been eager to watch the local star live, particularly on Douyin, where the platform claimed 4.7m livestream views for his bout against Deontay Wilder last June.
China Promotes Sports to Enhance Youth Health, Resilience
More Chinese children are embracing their school hours not just for academics, as schools are now offering a wider range of engaging and diverse sports activities, reflecting a broader national push to improve youth fitness. As China's decision-makers convene for the country's annual "two sessions," many agree that sports play a crucial role in enhancing the physical and mental health of Chinese teenagers. Read more on Xinhua (English)
World Aquatics Championships to go Green with Medals
To go green and support sustainable sporting practices, organisers of the World Aquatics Championships and World Aquatics Masters in Singapore will be awarding medals made from recycled aluminium cans during the meets in July and August. More than 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in 77 medal events across six aquatic sports. Read more on Straits Times (English)
💡 Mailman Take: Not long now until Singapore hosts what is expected to be an incredible World Aquatics Championships. If Formula 1, music concerts, marathons, basketball tournaments are anything to go by, then fans and residents of Singapore are in for an immaculately organised and scenically stunning feast of aquatics.
Los Angeles Dodgers Sign Official Sake Partner
Japanese sake maker Hakkaisan Brewery has entered into a two-year partnership with Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers that will make it the team's official sake. The sake will be sold at Dodger Stadium in an original cup available only there. Read more on Nikkei (English)
Jordi Cruyff Joins Indonesian FA (PSSI) as Technical Advisor
The former Man United midfielder has officially been appointed as the Indonesian FA (PSSI) technical advisor. His arrival further strengthens the collaboration between PSSI and the Dutch FA (KNVB), following Patrick Kluivert's appointment as Indonesia’s national team head coach in January. Read more on Jakarta Globe (English).
💡 Mailman Take: This marks another significant step in the growing partnership between PSSI and KNVB. With Cruyff’s extensive experience and global network, his influence will be vital in enhancing youth development and elevating Indonesia’s domestic leagues to approach European football standards. The ongoing collaboration with KNVB, initiated two years ago, continues to drive progress in Indonesian football.
DHL Express Hong Kong Becomes the Official Partner of Kai Tak Sports Park
Both parties will collaborate to drive the growth of sports and entertainment events to the city and help to foster the development of Hong Kong into a premier hub for mega live events. Read more on Retail News Asia (English)
Final Four of East Asia Super League a Slam Dunk for Macau
The East Asia Super League (EASL), visiting Macau this year for the league’s final game schedule, was not a mere showcase of basketball but a “shining example of how sports and tourism can work in hand to create unforgettable experiences,” according to Studio City Senior Vice President and General Manager Kevin Benning. Read more on Korea JoongAng Daily (English)
🎮 Esports
Riot Games Teams With NODWIN for Valorant Challengers South Asia
The India-based esports and gaming company NODWIN Gaming announced that it has partnered once again with Riot Games to operate the NODWIN Valorant Challengers South Asia 2025 (VCSA 2025). Set to run March 4 - July 14, the VCSA promises a new revamped format, a $129.6k prize pool, and new ways for grassroots teams to participate. Read more on Esports Advocate (English)
💭 Opinion
Rednote “Goes Overseas” With Cross-border E-commerce in the US
Nearly 2 months after “TikTok refugees” sought asylum on Rednote and pushed the Chinese lifestyle platform to the global stage, the platform is now ready to extend its e-commerce branch abroad. On 10 March, Rednote (formerly RED) announced its “Rednote e-commerce overseas navigation programme”. Read more on DAO (English)
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